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Mt. Baker Beacon Archives 2022-2023
Vol. 02, No. 03 Jan 15, 2023
Your word is a lamp to my feet Mount Volume 02, Number 03 Published by Location: Sunday: Web site:
| In this issue: Redeeming the Time We are living in an age when, it seems, that but few even of the members of the Lord's church are cognizant of the importance of our "redeeming the time." I would to God that something could be said or done that would cause Christians to awake to this need. The burden of current problems within the church has heaped discouragement upon the work in many places, thus contributing to indifference. The problems which we are facing serve to emphasize the need for more (as well as more effective) teaching both within and without the church. Let preachers accept this challenge to de-emphasize eloquence and re-emphasize the message. If because of extra-curricular interests less study is to be done in the home, then we must combat this by doing more teaching from the pulpits. I call your attention in this study to Paul's words to the Colossians, "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time." (Col. 4:5.) Exposition of this passage depends primarily upon consideration of four key words; "wisdom," "without," "redeeming," and "time." The word "wisdom" is from sophia (Gr.) and means "wisdom, skill" according to Robert Young. Thayer defines the word as "wisdom, broad and full intelligence." (page 581, Lexicon.) The term is the same one which is so widely used in I Corinthians 1 and 2. Thayer's comment on the usage of the word in Col. 4:5 is "a devout and proper prudence in intercourse with men not disciples of Christ." (ibid, 581.) Our text, then, teaches that we ought to conduct ourselves wisely toward those who are not Christians. The wisdom that we are to possess is a wisdom that comes from God. James taught that those who lacked wisdom should pray for it. (James 1:5.) He further taught that the wisdom which is from God will manifest itself in an individual through his good behavior (James 3:13) and that a wise man will be pure, peaceable, gentle, easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. (James 3:17.) We learn that the apostles preached wisdom among those who were perfect. (I Cor. 2:6.) Thus, we are constrained to believe that wisdom may be obtained through study of the word of God. Further, "walking in wisdom" involves the exercise of discretion in addition to humble obedience. "Without" is from "exo" (Gr.), which literally means "without; outside." "Without" signifies those who are without the body of Christ, i.e. those who are not Christians. In Colossians 1:13 Paul speaks of being translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son. Those without are they who have never been translated into this kingdom and they are the ones with whom the apostle is concerned in Col. 4:5. "Walking in wisdom toward them that are without" involves teaching them the truth. It involves the fulfillment of our Lord's command in the great commission. "Go ye therefore into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." Many will be disappointed to learn that this precept was not spoken for the benefit of preachers alone. This fact is more clearly seen from Matthew's account of the commission. In Matt. 28:19 the order is (1) teach, (2) baptize, (3) teach to observe. Note the following syllogism:(1) All baptized believers were to be taught to observe "all things whatsoever I have commanded you." (Mt. 28:19.) (2) The disciples were commanded to teach. (Mt. 28:19 - Mk. 16:15.) (3) Therefore, baptized believers are commanded to teach! While members of the church emphasize the Lord's Supper and baptism, they are prone to neglect the duties of personal evangelism. It has been said that there are only about twenty-two verses dealing with the responsibility to eat the Lord's Supper, and only about one hundred and twenty dealing with baptism, but there are over one thousand verses which show the Christians' responsibilities in teaching the gospel. As we note the word redeeming," we find it to be composed of two words; "ex" and "agorazo," thus, "ex-agorazo." Young defines the term as, "to acquire out of the forum." Thayer defines it as "to redeem; to buy up." He says the meaning in Ephesians 5:16 and Colossians 4:5 seems to be "to make a wise and sacred use of every opportunity for doing good." (Lexicon, p. 220.) Christians should regard as holy every opportunity to accomplish good. The textual application, of course, deals with opportunities to teach those who are without the body of Christ. Once Jesus told some men to learn the meaning of an expression: "I will have mercy, and not sacrifice" (Mt. 9:13 et al.) Among other things, it appears to me that this expression reveals that God is not pleased with legalism alone, but that one's heart and attitudes must also be pleasing. God requires men to love the souls of the lost. If we love the souls of the lost we will work to teach them the truth. Being letter-perfect will not save us unless our hearts are also right. We must be merciful toward the unbelievers and teach them God's will. To lift an expression from its context, James said, "He shall have judgment without mercy that hath showed no mercy." The last key word in the passage is "time" from "kairos" (Gr.) and meaning "A fixed time or season" (Young's Ana Con.). Time always signifies limitations. Time is a difference between mortality and immortality. In II Corinthians 6:2 we read ... "now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." These words are often cited in pleading with aliens to obey the gospel. But, brethren, if now is the accepted time to obey the gospel, then now is also the accepted time to be teaching the gospel. If we have no guarantee of tomorrow, how hard we must work, for the task is not done; we cannot say, "It is finished." "...I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together." (John 4:35-36.) "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." (Eph. 5:15-17.) Limited Benevolence The church doesn’t have as much responsibility in the field of benevolence as some think. Benevolent work of the church is limited to saints. Now, before you turn me off, pick up your new testament and begin with Acts 2, right where the church began read through to the close and see if you can find an example of church supported benevolence except among saints. There is a reason for this which we shall discuss later. But read: (1) Acts 2:44-45 “All that believed were together . . . sold their goods … parted them … as every man had need.” (2) Acts 4:32-34 “The multitude of them that believed … had all things common … having lands and houses sold them . . . distribution made . . .” (3) Acts 6 — “When the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem . . .” This tells of the needy widows in the Jerusalem church, and how the church cared for them. (4) Acts 11:27-30 “. . . then the disciples … determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea . . .” (5) 1 Cor. 16:1-2 “Now concerning the collection for the saints . . .” (6) 2 Cor. 8:1-4 “ministering to the saints . . . “ (7) 2 Cor. 9:1 — “For as touching the ministering to the saints . . .” (8) Rom. 15:25-26 — “But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints, for it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.” (9) 1 Timothy 5:16 “If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them and let not the church be charged, that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.” Here the apostle strictly forbids the church to assume the care of widows who have children or grandchildren, who are able to care for them; If the apostle forbids the church to supply the needs of a widow who is a Christian, what about aliens? It could hardly be accidental that the benevolent work of the church is always said to be among saints. Some think that Gal. 6: 10 and James 1: 27 are exceptions, but these refer to individual action. In the first 8 verses of Galatians 6, you will find the words “man,” “him,” and “such an one” ten times. This “man,” this “one,” this “him,” is the one who is to “do good unto all, men.” Jas. 1: 27 make as much room for church support of widows as for orphans. And we have shown from I Tim. 5 that church support of widows is limited to widows who are saints and who have no one to care for them. Of course obligation to a needy saint would include, those who are the legitimate dependents of that saint, and this would often include children and, widows. But I know of no scripture that authorizes the church to engage in a work of’ general benevolence. This is a shocking statement to some, and has brought no end of ridicule upon those who so teach; But until someone finds that scripture I shall try to absorb the abuse without losing my naturally sweet disposition. If we Christians would do what benevolent work rightfully falls our duty to do, there would be very little left for the church to do. It is very convenient, and less expensive, to let the church do it. But in reality, the very nature of benevolent work makes most of it individual. Children need a home and family. Old people, after they have served their children until they have worn themselves out, deserve a better lot than to be stuck off in an “Old Folks Home.” I have heard how happy they are, there with a lot of other old people. But I have visited them too many times, to buy that. They would ‘ like to be with the children, to whom they have given the best years of their lives. That is, if their children wanted them. They don’t complain much. But they have pride and feelings too, you know, even if they are old. Jesus healed the sick and fed the hungry, but that was incidental to His mission. He did not come to do that. He came to save men’s souls. His church has the same mission — or it is not His church. Created by Chuck Sibbing, last updated. 01/15/2023 The Mount Baker Beacon is a weekly publication of the Mt. Baker church of Christ, Bellingham, WA. |
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